Blurring the Edges

by

Meredith Brooks

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I loved the single "Bitch" when I heard it. Of course it seems that a lot of people do, but being my odd self I won't buy a recording until I hear at least 2 singles off of it that I like (or I already know the artist which I didn't). Then I saw the video for "What Would Happen" and I loved it. I went and got the recording the next day. I have been listening frequently since. Meredith seems like a very positive person, especially judging from the song "Pollyanne", a song about how you don't have to always be angry in life. She's not someone "pukey" or boring though, she's got that bit of sassy-ness to her. I'd have to say that my favorite song on the recording is "Wash My Hands". It always reminds me that I can't dwell how hard my life has been in the past and I just have to look forward to the future positively and even if it doesn't turn out that I will get past it. It really motivates me when times are rough. This recording is great to listen to if you're happy or sad, it's got all the moods in there!

As part of my 90's nostalgia trip, I've been exploring some of the female Lilith Fair-era singers that came out from roughly 1997-1999. Some of these, such as Sarah McLachlan and in some cases, Jewel, have had success since this time. Others, such as Fiona Apple, Shawn Colvin, and Paula Cole, have faded away.

This leads us to Meredith Brooks. I first heard "Bitch" in late '97 or thereabouts. I was intrigued that someone was willing to push the envelope like that. I also remember the controversy and comparisons to Alanis Morissette the single brought as well. I later called up my local music store and asked them who the singer was. For the next decade or so, I forgot all about it.

Recently I brought the album at my local music store. The first thing I noticed after listening to the album was her voice; it's not that good and over the course of listening it gets annoying. It does work somewhat on "Bitch" and on other favorite songs, "Shatter" and "What Would Happen". As for the other songs, I found them generic, boring - and in some places - stupid. The worst offenders out of all of them were the songs "I Need" and "Somedays".

In short, all of the notoriety the single has earned in the years since can't save this album. Brooks offers nothing that separates her from her late 90's peers. She could have been something, but sadly the controversy and comparisons brought about by "Bitch" doomed her to being a one-hit wonder. Sad, but common.